Birmingham, AL · standard
ZIP Code 35217
Jefferson County, Alabama - Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.
- 13,729
- 294/sq mi High-density area
- $40,486
- Median income Below-median income area
- $120,400
- Median home value Below-median home value
- 12.1%
- Bachelor's or higher Below-average bachelor's attainment
National ZIP placement
Birmingham pairs one of the lowest household incomes in the country with among the most affordable home values nationally, in a low-density, mixed-tenure area.
- 6th pct
- household income, US ZIPs
- 17th pct
- home value, US ZIPs
- 294
- people per sq mi
- 48%
- owner-occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 35217 against every reporting US ZIP.
FHFA HPI release change
What changed in the latest House Price Index year
- FHFA House Price Index values in ZIP 35217 (Birmingham, AL) rose +12.6% from 2023 to 2024. The all-transactions index moved from 168.7 in 2023 to 189.9 in 2024 (2000 = 100).
ZIP code 35217 is a mid-sized community (a standard USPS delivery area) in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, home to 13,729 residents across 46.8 square miles, a density of 294 people per square mile, in the Chicago time zone.
ZIP 35217 reports a modest median household income of $40,486 (34% below the average Alabama ZIP), while per-capita income is $23,064. The poverty rate is 24.2%, so the area-level income figures should not be treated as typical household experience. Home values sit below the statewide ZIP benchmark: the median is $120,400 (32% below the average Alabama ZIP), and median rent is $933; owner occupancy is 47.5%.
Formal educational attainment runs low here: just 12.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 40.4, and the average commute is 27 minutes. The page also surfaces 10 ZIP codes within roughly 10 miles and 6 more in Jefferson County, so 35217 can be compared with both its immediate and county-level context.
Every figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (including median rent) and the FHFA House Price Index, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with Census →
Top industries in ZIP 35217
Top 5 sectors by establishment count in Birmingham, AL
Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 35217.
- Other services (except public administration)
Other services (except public administration)
48 establishments
- Wholesale trade
Wholesale trade
42 establishments
- Retail trade
Retail trade
42 establishments
- Manufacturing
Manufacturing
38 establishments
- Transportation and warehousing
Transportation and warehousing
33 establishments
What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + FHFA HPI ACS demographics and median rent, ZBP business establishments, FHFA HPI for ZIP 35217, Birmingham, AL · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.
Quick Facts
13,729
Population
46.8
Area (sq mi)
294
People / sq mi
Chicago
Time Zone
standard
ZIP Type
Who lives in ZIP 35217?
40.4
Median Age
45.4%
Male
54.6%
Female
9.0%
Foreign-Born
Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How much do residents earn?
$40,486
Median Household Income
-34% vs state ZIP avg
$23,064
Per Capita Income
24.2%
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Unemployment Rate
26.5 min
Mean Commute Time
How ZIP 35217 ranks among Alabama ZIPs
Birmingham, AL household income vs. every Alabama ZIP code
Median household income among 587 reporting Alabama ZIPs (this ZIP's population is too small for a reliable national-corpus placement)
$40,486 14th percentile higher than 14% of 587 Alabama ZIPs
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more Alabama ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What is the education profile here?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
What does housing look like?
Housing stock: occupied vs vacant
6,231housing units
6,231
Total Housing Units
5,206
Occupied Units
1,025
Vacant Units
2.32
Avg Household Size
Occupancy Type
$120,400
Median Home Value
-32% vs state ZIP avg
$933
Median Rent
1961
Median Year Built
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)
How have home values changed over time?
FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals
+12.6%
YoY Change (2024)
190
HPI Index (2000 = 100)
+90%
Total Change Since 2000
Home values in ZIP 35217 have increased 12.6% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +90% cumulative appreciation.
| Year | Annual Change | HPI Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +10.2% | 133 |
| 2021 | +12.1% | 150 |
| 2022 | +16.0% | 173 |
| 2023 | -2.7% | 169 |
| 2024 | +12.6% | 190 |
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.
What businesses operate in this ZIP?
Census Bureau data shows 319 business establishments in ZIP 35217, employing approximately 9,765 people with a combined annual payroll of $711,296,000.
319
Businesses
9,765
Employees
$711.3M
Annual Payroll
13
Industry Sectors
| Industry | Establishments | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Other services (except public administration) | 48 | 15.1% |
| Wholesale trade | 42 | 13.2% |
| Retail trade | 42 | 13.2% |
| Manufacturing | 38 | 11.9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 33 | 10.3% |
| Construction | 32 | 10.0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 22 | 6.9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 15 | 4.7% |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 14 | 4.4% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 9 | 2.8% |
| Finance and insurance | 8 | 2.5% |
| Health care and social assistance | 6 | 1.9% |
| Educational services | 3 | 0.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.
Nearby ZIP Codes
Want a side-by-side? Compare 35217 vs 35119 →
ZIP 35217 vs its nearest neighbors, by population
Resident population of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 35215
Birmingham (35215)
46,951 residents
- 35235
Birmingham (35235)
19,484 residents
- 35206 17,177
Birmingham (35206)
17,177 residents
- 35217 13,729
Birmingham (35217)
13,729 residents
- 35213 13,185
Birmingham (35213)
13,185 residents
- 35212 11,539
Birmingham (35212)
11,539 residents
- 35207 9,010
Birmingham (35207)
9,010 residents
- 35222 7,884
Birmingham (35222)
7,884 residents
- 35068 7,232
Fultondale (35068)
7,232 residents
What this shows Among its immediate neighbors, ZIP 35217 ranks #4 by population - useful context the national average alone can't give.
ZIP 35217 vs its nearest neighbors, by median income
Median household income of this ZIP and the closest reporting ZIP codes within ~10 miles.
- 35213
Birmingham (35213)
$159,824 median income
- 35222
Birmingham (35222)
$84,066 median income
- 35068
Fultondale (35068)
$73,750 median income
- 35235 $63,295
Birmingham (35235)
$63,295 median income
- 35215 $52,793
Birmingham (35215)
$52,793 median income
- 35206 $42,549
Birmingham (35206)
$42,549 median income
- 35217 $40,486
Birmingham (35217)
$40,486 median income
- 35212 $36,633
Birmingham (35212)
$36,633 median income
- 35207 $31,486
Birmingham (35207)
$31,486 median income
What this shows By household income, ZIP 35217 ranks #7 of 9 neighboring ZIPs, local affluence varies block to block, not just metro to metro.
| ZIP Code | City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35119 | New Castle, AL | 116 | 2.6 mi |
| 35212 | Birmingham, AL | 11,539 | 4.2 mi |
| 35068 | Fultondale, AL | 7,232 | 4.1 mi |
| 35206 | Birmingham, AL | 17,177 | 3.8 mi |
| 35222 | Birmingham, AL | 7,884 | 5.8 mi |
| 35215 | Birmingham, AL | 46,951 | 4.2 mi |
| 35207 | Birmingham, AL | 9,010 | 4.6 mi |
| 35234 | Birmingham, AL | 6,311 | 5.3 mi |
| 35213 | Birmingham, AL | 13,185 | 7.1 mi |
| 35235 | Birmingham, AL | 19,484 | 6.5 mi |
Nationwide ZIPs with similar ACS profiles
Two Census-derived peer sets for ZIP 35217, both outside AL so the neighborhoods are not geographic containment (Nearby and same-county blocks stay local).
Similar population
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by resident population (13,729 here; floor ≥1,000).
Similar median household income
Nearest cross-state ZIPs by ACS median household income.
More ZIP Codes in Jefferson County
Related Areas
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is ZIP code 35217 in?
ZIP code 35217 (Birmingham) is located in Jefferson County, Alabama. Jefferson County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/jefferson-al.
What is the population of ZIP code 35217?
ZIP code 35217 in Birmingham, AL has a population of 13,729 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 35217?
The median household income in ZIP 35217 is $40,486, which is 47% below the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 35217?
The median home value in ZIP 35217 is $120,400, which is 57% below the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 35217?
The largest racial group in ZIP 35217 is African American at 53.4%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 17.4% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 35217?
ZIP code 35217 has 319 business establishments employing approximately 9,765 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 35217?
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 35217 are: Other services (except public administration) (48), Wholesale trade (42), Retail trade (42). There are 13 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 35217?
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 35217 increased by 12.6% in 2024. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 90%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 35217?
In ZIP code 35217, 44.5% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 12.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What is the average commute time in ZIP 35217?
The mean commute time for workers in ZIP code 35217 is 26.5 minutes according to Census ACS data. The national average is roughly 26 minutes, so commuters here spend more time traveling to work than typical.
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 35217?
In ZIP code 35217, approximately 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 52.5% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 35217?
The poverty rate in ZIP code 35217 is 24.2% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.
Related
Take this with you
What to do with ZIP 35217's numbers, next.
- See how ZIP 35217 compares to a neighboring ZIP code on the same Census fields Compare this ZIP
- Check where Birmingham, AL ranks among every U.S. ZIP code on income, education, or homeownership View national rankings
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ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census Bureau approximations of USPS ZIP codes; figures describe the ZCTA area, not any single address within it.